Antibiotics

10,000 I.U./mL Penicillin, 10,000 (μg/mL) Streptomycin For reducing the chances of microbial contamination in cell culture. Between 0.5 and 1 mL of Penicillin-Streptomycin solution are added to 100 mL of cell culture media for a final concentration of 50 to 100 I.U./mL penicillin and 50 to 100 (μg/mL) streptomycin.

NOTE: Most cell culture technologists avoid using antibiotics and antimycotics for routine culture work. Antibiotics and antimycotics may mask contamination by susceptible bacteria and fungi while permitting mycoplasma to flourish unnoticed. Antibiotics and antimycotics may interfere with the metabolism of sensitive cells in culture. However, one may elect to introduce antibiotics and antimycotics for short periods to primary cultures or as a safeguard while propagating specific valuable stocks.